Do you want to get experience working with children and young people? Are you interested in
teaching?
If you answered yes to any of the above questions, then our School Placement Programme is
perfect for
you.
We work with around 20 schools in Coventry to provide our students with valuable work experience, and support
Partner Schools with activity to diversify their pupil's learning. There are a variety of opportunities
you can get involved with, including:
Student Tutoring
As a Student Tutor you will be supporting teachers in your chosen subject (maths, English, science, media
etc). You will not be expected to teach the whole class (unless you want to), instead you will be supporting
small groups.
International Language Support
We are looking for students fluent in or a native speaker of languages other than English, to assist pupils
with their English.
Right to Read
As a Right to Read volunteer, you will read one-to-one with children with below average reading abilities to
improve their confidence and enjoyment. You are usually assigned 3–4 children to 'read' with,
and your school provides the book and some activities, but as you get to know your pupil we recommend
creating your own materials.
Extra-Curricular Clubs
This opportunity allows you to share your hobby or interest with school pupils over lunch or in an
after-school club. Previous activity has included chess, science and craft clubs. Our team can help you
develop your idea further if needed.
Our process
DBS checks
Before we can arrange a placement you must have an Enhanced
with Barred List DBS check which is a legal
requirement in the UK for anyone working with children.
Training
Whilst we are waiting for your DBS check you will be given basic training to prepare you for your
placement. This training will cover placement expectations, managing behaviour, classroom conduct and an
overview of safeguarding practices.
School Induction
The first time you attend your school with be for an induction. It should include:
- An introduction to teaching staff they will be working with
- A tour of the school
- Guidance on your placement role, including dress code, mobile phone use and school expectations
- Essential school policies; health and safety, child protection and safeguarding procedures
- Access to resources to support the experience they will be having in the classroom
Still interested?
If you want to find out more, have any question and register your interest, email
us, so we can let you know about our current opportunities as these are always changing.
Our school placement opportunities are a fantastic way for our students to gain experience, whilst
your school benefits from their subject experience, international languages or passion to
learn.
Would you like to benefit from student support whilst providing students with valuable school’s
experience?
The classroom experience gained by students wishing to pursue a career in teaching is invaluable, it also
offers students the opportunity who are keen to share their passions for certain subjects the chance to
inspire or encourage pupils across Coventry.
Schools that accept students should ensure that they receive adequate supervision on school premises.
Students have requested to support teachers in the classroom and should remain under the supervision of a
teacher at all times and should not conduct lessons themselves.
Please note: our student volunteers are NOT trainee teachers.
What We Offer
We offer a variety of programmes to support your schools, these include:
Student Tutoring
This opportunity places students in a classroom environment supporting teachers in a subject of their choice
(maths, English, media etc).
International Language Support
Our International Language Support programme involves our students, fluent in or a native speaker in a
language other than English, to assist pupils in your school with a lower level of English.
Right to Read
Right to Read is a programme designed for 1-hour sessions over 8-10 weeks with a pupil who requires
assistance, enabling them to build their confidence and reading abilities. This opportunity pairs a student
with a pupil to improve their literacy through adapting activities and games to increase involvement
thorough fun activities.
Extra-Curricular Clubs
Would you like some of our students to help you in setting up before and after school clubs for your
learners? This programme is dependent on the interests and expertise of our diverse student community,
previously successful clubs have included creative writing, mixed sports, arts and crafts.
Code Club
In collaboration Code Club this is the opportunity for 9-13
year olds to engage and develop new skills learning computer code. Our students are trained by the Code Club
team before supporting your school pupils to learn code through designing and making their own games,
animations and websites.
Sports and Special Interests
We have many sports students who would like the chance to assist with specific related activities to
encourage and motivate pupils in after-school activity.
School Inspired Projects
We are keen to work with our school partners to design and support projects
that really meet their needs. Previous school inspired projects have included: Science
Days, Harry Potter Week and Sports Days.
How to join?
It would be great to have your school or college join our scheme, as we always have students wanting to
get school experience. Firstly, read the 'Information for Schools' document below to get a
better idea of the programme and how it works. Once you have decided to go for it, email us with all
your requirements, so we can start arranging everything and start looking for suitable students for you.
Before the placement
Students will be given basic training before their placement, including teaching methods and theory,
placement expectations and behaviour, classroom conduct and an overview of safeguarding practices.
All of our students will have an Enhanced with Barred Lists DBS check before commencing their placement. When the
participants visit your school for the first time, they will bring their DBS certificate with them along
with a DBS confirmation letter. This letter needs to be signed by a member of staff and for the
student to give to us for our records.
School Induction
Whilst our students will have received some training before starting their placement, they will also
require you to complete a School Induction to ensure the Student Volunteer understands expectations and
key policies of your school. It should include:
- An introduction to relevant teaching staff they will be working with
- A tour of the school (at least the department the students are working in)
- Guidance on their role whilst on their placement, including dress code, mobile phone use and school
expectations
- Essential school policies; health and safety, child protection and safeguarding procedures
- Access to resources to support the experience they will be having in the classroom
If you have any questions about any aspect of the Schools Programme, please contact employability.su@coventry.ac.uk